My husband and I were recently invited to try out one of Warner Hotels’ excellent properties. We spent ages browsing their website before choosing Heythrop Park in the Cotswolds.
Our choice was made for a few reasons. Firstly, we’d never been to the Cotswolds and, secondly, because after binge-watching Jilly Cooper’s Rivals (set in Rutshire, which is based on the Cotswolds), we were desperate to go. Plus, it was an easy two-hour drive from our home in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire. Oh, and because the hotel was in such a wonderful-looking country mansion!
On the way there, we’d been following Waze which was unfortunately hacked that morning, so with routes turning to Hebrew, French, and Russian, we resorted to something most young people aren’t familiar with – a map!
As we turned into the mile-or-so-long drive up to the manor house, we were surrounded by glorious countryside. Towering trees in all their autumnal glory, a little stream rippling through the grass, a fox running across the road, rabbits hopping about, and a shy Muntjac peeping through the bushes. Signs kept telling us not to panic because we were almost there – and then we were.
Stopping at a little hut for registration, we were handed our keycards and told where to park and leave our luggage. For a change, we’d travelled light. I’d been determined to arrive with a smart suitcase and travel bag, rather than our usual huge bag of stuff I’d thrown in the car at the last minute – I really wanted to look like a grown-up, responsible hotel guest!
Janet at Heythrop Park
Our room wouldn’t be ready until three pm, so we decided to have a light lunch in The Orangery restaurant on-site. We joined a whole heap of guests tucking into freshly made paninis and listening as Sebastian entertained us with modern classics – he had a terrific voice. He even performed one of my favourites, Mack The Knife, and really did it justice.
The Orangery
After our leisurely lunch, we wandered back to the car park to collect our luggage and take the lift to our room (which was on the second floor of the North Wing). Wow! The room was enormous and decorated in neutral creams and beiges; it had a view overlooking the bowling and croquet lawn. Straightaway, we did that Four in a Bed thing and bounced onto the bed – it was six feet wide and oh so comfortable.
Next, we checked out the bathroom which was equally as enormous. It had a giant shower (big enough for two – nuff said!), a bath, toilet, sink, and still enough room to dance around. It also had lots of Temple Spa toiletries and secret blue lights which turned on when you entered. This meant that when I got up to go to the loo in the night, it was just bright enough to see where the toilet was, but not enough to wake me up properly. What a great idea.
Back in the bedroom, there was a little catering corner with tea, coffee, and hot chocolate, with a super quiet fridge hidden underneath with fresh milk.
With a couple of hours to spare until our evening dinner reservation, we thought we’d explore. Taking the stairs this time, we poked our noses into all manner of rooms, including the Games Room where we started chatting to a couple playing shuffleboard. They told us that they’d stopped for five minutes for a quick game, but it was now two hours later and they were still going. After they left, we thought we’d have a go – and, yes, I can confirm shuffleboard is definitely addictive.
We managed to tear ourselves away after about 20 minutes (unfortunately my husband won!) and headed off in search of dinner. On our way, we discovered The Late Lounge (where we were scheduled to watch a show after our meal), the Travelling Duke Pub and Kitchen, as well as some shopping showcases. Here, my husband bought me a really pretty, delicate bracelet which I absolutely love.
On our way to dinner, when we started walking down the wrong corridor for what seemed like the umpteenth time, I really wished I’d packed some breadcrumbs in my luggage! But, the staff at Heythrop Park are so efficient that the breadcrumbs would’ve disappeared before I’d even had time to retrace my steps. However, my husband – previously a London cab driver – seemed to have already sussed out The Knowledge of Heythrop Park.
Dinner at Brasserie 32 was in a gloriously decorated large drawing room. If I’m honest, I’d have preferred a little more menu choice – I don’t eat pork and there seemed to be quite a number of pork-based dishes on the menu. I’d have enjoyed some steak or a grill but, luckily, Eton mess, my favourite dessert, was available for pudding. I also had my favourite cocktail – a strawberry daiquiri.
And then we were off to The Late Lounge to see Spirit of Music. It was fantastic – a four-piece ensemble sang furiously energetically in front of a great backdrop of street scenes. I knew and loved all of the songs so I sang and danced along. It was wonderful! My husband was playing air guitar and drums alongside me – after all, he was the lead guitarist in a 60s rock band. Throughout the show, he kept whispering to me, “We used to play this!”.
It’d been a long day, so we decided to go to bed, but for those still ready to party, the entertainment continued.
After the most deliciously comfortable night’s sleep, a restorative cuppa (with bikkies), and a great power shower, breakfast the next morning was in the Market Kitchen. There was plenty of choice, including a full English breakfast buffet, freshly cooked pancakes, omelettes, and porridge.
Next up was archery. Well, my husband was in his element. A former medieval re-enactor, he was used to running around in a full suit of armour whilst hitting his opponents with axes, swords, and shields. Me – I wasn’t so keen. But off we went, past the spa, swimming pool, and axe throwing before arriving at the archery butts.
Well, I did try, but having broken my wrists a few years ago, I was quite worried about the weight of the bow – “not heavy” according to my husband. But he took all my turns and thoroughly enjoyed himself. He did get one bullseye, but he came last in the competition between the other three couples. Never mind! We went for a consoling cuppa.
We had a couple of hours until our next adventure – a festive afternoon tea – and so we decided to pop into Chipping Norton, the nearest town. I had a mini spending spree and found a terrific sweater in the charity shops and treated our dog, Rollo (who was having a whale of a time in our local kennels), to a new squeaky toy from a very nice discount store. Oh, and in an upmarket gift shop, I bought my husband a consoling bottle of aftershave.
And then it was onto our afternoon tea! Oh my goodness, what a spread. There were delicious crustless sandwiches, cream-laden scones, and endless cups of tea. When we were finally sated, it was time for our next event – gin tasting.
There were just four of us this time (the other couple being one of our archery friends), but Marina, our hostess, had thoroughly immersed herself in gin lore and it made for an intimate and genuinely fascinating couple of hours. It was supposed to be 45 minutes but we were all enjoying ourselves far too much; we learnt so much and drank even more, until finally we staggered back to our bedrooms.
I think we had a little pre-dinner nap, but in any event dinner that evening was in the Travelling Duke where I had a perfectly cooked steak whilst my husband tucked into a pie. To be quite honest, the gin tasting had taken its toll, so we gave the evening’s entertainment a miss, opting instead for a cuppa in bed while watching television and packing ready to leave the following morning (boring, I know).
At breakfast on departure day, I opted for a freshly cooked cheese and tomato omelette, while my husband had porridge laced with honey. And then we were off! Normally I’m quite happy to go home, but this time I could’ve happily stayed a few more days – there was so much more to explore. But Rollo and the kennels beckoned.
Thank you to Warner Hotels for hosting us. Heythrop Park is for over 18s only and they seem to have thought of everything to make your break the best it can be – the place was immaculate, the staff friendly, and the free entertainment a delight. One of the guests we met described Warner Hotels as a cruise on land and, you know what, that’s a perfect description.
To find more information about a Warners’ break, as well as offers and discounts, head over to the Warner Hotels website.
For more holiday ideas, you might like to check out the travel section of our website. Here, you’ll find articles like 16 of the best UK city breaks and 8 of the best travel destinations for spring 2025. And you can browse UK staycation deals below.
Are you currently planning a staycation? Have you been to the Cotswolds before? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!